New Delhi: The Odia festival of Raja was celebrated on the virtual platform by a Delhi-based forum of intellectuals, The Intellects.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation of Odias from 12 countries on Monday.
A congregation of well-known women cultural leaders and young artistes shared their nostalgic memories about the festival.
Chairman of the organisation Debendra N Rout presided over the function while well-known Odissi dance exponent and Chairperson of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, Aruna Mohanty joined as chief guest.
Mohanty highlighted the importance of the festival while reminiscing her childhood days and the celebrations then. Vice president of The Intellects Pankajmala Sarangi was also present.
Director of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, Dr Sangeeta Gosain also joined in along with veteran politician Prasanna Patasani.
Annual award of The Intellects ‘Mahaka Mo Matira’ (Fragrance of My Land) for 2021 were conferred on two leading women of Odisha. Social worker Shanti Devi was given the award for lifetime work for the cause of women and Kalyani Sanghamitra, an administrator, was honoured for her commitment and success in fighting COVID pandemic in Ganjam district of Odisha.
Among others, Susmita Das, Anindita Das, Adyasha Das, Pritinanda Routray; dancers Kavita Dwibedi, Kasturi Pattnaik, Gayatri Mishra Joshi, Kavita Mishra and Shimaran Zaman also joined.
Odias from USA, UK, Canada, Qatar, Dubai, Malaysia Singapore, Russia, Germany, Japan, Oman and Saudi Arabia participated.
